Business Architecture & The Formula One

Another view on the importance of businesswatch the Grand Prix regularly know that there
architecture, different than The "Da Vinci caseare some good pilots. An example of a good pilot
(1)," comes from the Formula One (Grand Prix).and a personal favorite is Fernando Alonso. Why
The Formula One offers a different but veryis he a good pilot; well, having won two F1 World
interesting case as a parallel for businessChampionships should be a sufficient criteria to tell
management.so. He is currently the only driver with two World
The Formula One is different from other sportsChampionship titles.
much because of the vehicle. In Cycling, theUnfortunately, the vehicle he is using is not the
vehicle does also matter and even in ice-skatingbest in town. Best vehicles are those from brands
the equipment has an influencing role in the sportslike Ferrari and Mercedes-McLaren. Than there is
results, but not as much as Formula One.the influence of fuel-providers. Ferrari works
In business the human resources are always seentogether with Shell, Renault is partner with Elf.
as the decisive component in the results of theOne is a global brand of the first league (Shell is
company, and that is including the management#93 in the top 100 of global brands), ELF doesn't
and their applied method. But human resourcesoccur amongst the top brands.
not only affect the results, they do so by buildingThe Warren-Buffets of these world are looking to
"vehicles" that are used for the same production.invest in companies that are the Ferraris of the
Examples of these are: information systems. It isF1 (business) in combination with drivers
possible to build these or to buy them in the(management) like Alonso. Business architecture is
market, but the quality of the informationlike that. In that case, change the vehicle for the
systems and their use define the success of thebusiness and the driver for management.
organization too. As much as human resources do.Solid business with high possible growth rates and
Other vehicles are: the buildings itself - modernthe best management is obviously what makes
designed buildings may positively influence theperfect business architecture. Great management
working climate and indirectly improve thebut poor business, will not end up in Warren's
performance of the organization.portfolio.
The best business architecture is that where notIt is not hard to manage a great business. A lot
only the employees, management and methodsmore difficult is it to manage a business in decline
are solid and successful, but where the otheror a business that is not passionate. Really great
business components are also influencing, like themanagers are those that make something good
mentioned information systems.out of a lousy "vehicle".
Now back to the formula One races. Those who